Class J1
Description
[edit | edit source]The RSR Type B2'N2 Class J1, or simply known as the Class J1 is a sub-class of the Class J family. Its designation really proves itself to be the first, as with its rather unique 0-4-4 wheel configuration, it can easily be described as a test bed. Presumably, it can be implied that the J2 was a revision of the J1.
The J1 shares the title of one of the most ergonomic and cost-effective locomotives in Steam and Steel with the J2 and K1. Having very similar (though inferior) stats to its counterpart, it may get one to wonder which locomotive to purchase. While the J2 is often picked over the J1 due to its superior stats, its reputation as a "meta" engine may push railroaders towards buying the J1 instead to avoid just using the J2 all the time. Despite the J2 being superior, the J1 is still a highly capable engine that most railroaders will be satisfied with using. It is particularly useful on lines with tight curves that the J2's higher top speed may cause trouble with. The J1 is a tender engine, and does not come with any onboard fuel.
Trivia
[edit | edit source]- The J1 is a very odd locomotive in concept. Despite being an 0-4-4, it is a tender engine. In real life, the 0-4-4 wheel arrangement was only used on tank locomotives, typically running push-pull passenger trains on branch lines. An 0-4-4T's main advantage was its ability to run in reverse at high speed as a sort of 4-4-0T, which meant it did not need to run around its train or use a turntable at the end of the line. The J1's tender defeats the entire point of the wheel arrangement, as running in reverse tender-first can result in the tender becoming unstable and derailing around corners at high speed.
- The J1 is the only engine in the game with an 0-4-4 wheel arrangement.
- It is the only steam locomotive in the game with a swiveling two-axle bogie.
- The rear bogie can often get messed up and pushed to the side during a derailment, and rerailing does not fix its orientation. The engine is not affected in any way by this, and the problem usually fixes itself after traveling a short distance.